Open Access Case Report DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8057 Heater-Associated Erythema Ab Igne: Case Report and Review of Thermal-Related Skin Conditions Parnia Forouzan 1 , Ryan R. Riahi 2 , Philip R. Cohen 3 1. Dermatology, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, USA 2. Dermatology, DermSurgery Associates, Sugar Land, USA 3. Dermatology, San Diego Family Dermatology, National City, USA Corresponding author: Parnia Forouzan,
[email protected] Abstract Erythema ab igne is a thermal-associated skin condition that can occur secondary to persistent direct or indirect contact with heat. Historically, erythema ab igne has been linked to fireplace and stove exposures; more recently, it has been associated with heaters, hot water bottles, and laptops. A 48-year-old woman presented for the evaluation of hyperpigmented, reticulated macular lesions on her distal legs. Additional history revealed that she had developed erythema ab igne secondary to the use of a space heater underneath her desk at work. Her skin condition stopped progressing with removal of the causative agent. In addition to erythema ab igne, heat-related skin conditions include basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, burns, erythromelalgia, subtypes of urticaria, and ultraviolet-associated disorders. Awareness of thermal- associated skin conditions enables the clinician to establish the appropriate diagnosis based on the associated history of the condition, the morphology of the skin lesion, and, if necessary, correlation with the skin biopsy findings of the cutaneous condition. Categories: Dermatology Keywords: ab, carcinoma, erythema, heat, heater, igne, skin, thermal, ultraviolet, urticaria Introduction Erythema ab igne is an unintentional thermal-associated adverse cutaneous disorder that can occur following repeated exposure to an exogenous heat source.